# NTSB MIA94LA123: Piper PA-24-260, N8572P, Spring Hill, FL, April 16, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 16, 1994, 08:15 local (12:15 UTC) - Place: Spring Hill, FL - Coordinates: 28.36951, -82.510131 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.3695&lon=-82.5101&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 7, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 37532 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA94LA123 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37532/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA94LA123 ## Probable cause UNSUITABLE TERRAIN ENCOUNTERED DURING A FORCED LANDING. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE FATIGUE FAILURE OF ONE OF THE PROPELLER BLADE'S PITCH CHANGE KNOB. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise - normal - propeller system/accessories,pitch change mech - fatigue (contributing factor) - propeller system/accessories,pitch change mech - failure,total (contributing factor) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - terrain condition - uphill - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - encountered, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis DURING CRUISE FLIGHT THE PILOT REPORTED A SEVERE VIBRATION. DURING THE FORCED LANDING THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH TERRAIN AND CAME TO REST UPRIGHT. EXAMINATION OF THE PROPELLER REVEALED THAT A PITCH CHANGE KNOB ON ONE OF THE PROPELLER BLADES WAS FAILED. METALLURGICAL EXAMINATION OF THE FAILED PITCH CHANGE KNOB REVEALED THAT IT FAILED DUE TO FATIGUE. ## Factual narrative On April 16, 1994, about 0815 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-24-260, N8572P, registered to Roger L. Millheim, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near the Pilot Country Airport, Spring Hill, Florida, while on a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The commercial-rated pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The flight originated from the Pilot Country Airport, Spring Hill, Florida, about 7 minutes earlier. The pilot stated that during cruise flight he felt a severe vibration through the airframe which he attributed to be from the propeller. He attempted a forced landing on a road but during the descent, the airplane collided with the top of a 40-foot-tall dirt embankment. The airplane slid over the top down the other side coming to rest upright. The propeller was removed for examination which revealed that a pitch change knob on one of the propeller blades was failed. The failed knob and butt end of the propeller blade was sent to the NTSB Metallurgy Laboratory in Washington, DC, for examination. Metallurgical examination of the failed pitch change knob revealed that it failed due to fatigue. Review of the aircraft logbooks revealed that the propeller was overhauled on June 28, 1989. At the time of the accident the propeller had accumulated about 397 hours since overhaul. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8572P](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8572P), registered now, S/N 24-4029, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-24-260 - Registry model: [Piper PA-24-260](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24-260) (registry code 7102406) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 24-4029 - Airframe hours: 4097 - Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-D4A5 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Millheim, Roger L. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 24, 1993, 41 hours before ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 47; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 2,865 total, 420 in this make and model, 2,410 as pilot in command, 78 in the last 90 days, 29 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 130° at 5 knots - Visibility: 12 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: TPA, 21 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 19940416011009A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940416011009A), Apr 16, 1994: Piper PA24260, Spring Hill, FL, Substantial damage. During cruise severe vibration from prop. Struck embankment on forced landing. Pitch change knob failed due fatigue From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.